Paul Pogba is back in form for Manchester United at just the right time as Premier League leaders prepare for Sunday ‘s FA Cup match with bitter Liverpool rivals.
Pogba has been a consistent source of breakouts during his second spell with United and the recent suggestions that he wanted to invent a close-season move were no surprise.
Mino Raiola, the agent of the French midfielder, criticized United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December by giving an interview in which he suggested that Pogba wanted to leave as he was “unhappy” with the lack. freedom granted to him at Old Trafford.
At the time, Pogba ‘s form was so flawed and his team’ s results so worrying, that some United fans would be happy to help him leave the door.
Seen in some quarters as a blow to some of his youngest teammates, Pogba’s stock could not have been lower when Solskjaer’s side dropped out of the Champions League in the same week that Raiola his inflammatory claims.
At that point, there seemed to be an inevitable move to his former club Juventus or a possible conversion to Paris Saint Germain or Real Madrid.
But from the ashes of what looked like a crisis that defined the season, both Pogba and United have returned to unexpected prominence.
Finally showing signs of cracking down and focusing on football rather than his image and commercial interests, Pogba has played a key role in United’s promotion to the top of the Premier League. .
Solskjaer reportedly expressed his delight to Pogba over Raiola’s intervention but did not lose the cool with the 27-year-old.
Pogba has repaid that religious display with goals that won games in United league victories at Burnley and then Fulham on Wednesday.
The World Cup-winning player against Fulham was his fourth goal of the season but, with Pogba back in the basement, United are a far more organized force.
Sitting two points clear at the top of the Premier League, United are vying for the first English title since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
After the goalless draw between the old rivals in the league at Anfield on January 17, United have a chance to deliver a psychological blow to Liverpool as the champions visit Old Trafford in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend. .
The question on everyone’s lips at United is whether Pogba can sustain his sudden hot streak.
Some believe Pogba is motivated by a desire to retain his place in the French team ahead of this year’s delayed European Championships.
Whatever the reason behind Pogba’s revival, it would be clear that Solskjaer would benefit from keeping his temperamental playmaker in a forward-thinking mind.
“He enjoys his football, he’s happy. Mentally he’s very happy and physically he’s in really good shape and we all know about his talents,” Solskjaer said.
“We decided to play in midfield (against Fulham) and it was worth it.”
United capture Liverpool at just the right time after Burnley finished the champions’ 68-game unbeaten home league record with a stunning 1-0 win at Anfield on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have gone five league games without a win and are six points behind United.
It’s been seven hours and 18 minutes since they last found the net in the league – Liverpool’s worst thirst in almost 21 years.
A win over United would be just the tonic the sick Reds need.
“When things don’t work out on the pitch as we call them, there’s a question,” Klopp said.
“The issue is that the things I told the boys are not, I didn’t tell them clearly enough so I have to change the way I tell the boys and then we have to change the way we play.
“We need to keep up the good stuff and improve the others. “